Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2 RIVERSIDE, Calif. – Thanks to a pair of third-inning three-run home runs, the University of California, Riverside (UCR) women's softball team topped the visiting University of Texas, El Paso (UTEP) Miners, 11-1, in a run-rule game halted after 4-1/2 innings Sunday, Feb. 16 at Amy S. Harrison Field on the campus of UCR.
UCR (6-3) broke open a scoreless tie, thanks to three-run dingers by freshman 2B
Lauryn Garewal (Banning, Calif. / Banning HS) and junior C
Kennedi Sorensen (Valencia, Calif. / New Mexico State U.) in the third inning.
In the fourth, the Highlanders parlayed five hits into five runs, the big blow coming off the bat of senior 1B
Melanie Olmos (Riverside, Calif. / Grand Terrace HS), who smacked a two-run shot to cap the Highlanders and lead, 11-0. UTEP (2-8) added an unearned run in the top of the fifth to get cosmetically closer.
Starting freshman RHP
Briza Blanco (Murrieta, Calif. / Vista Murrieta HS) went the distance and scattered five hits, walked one and struck out five to improve to 3-0 for UCR.
Highlander Classic, game 9 (UCR's second game Sunday): Idaho State U. 6, at UC Riverside 2 (non-conference game)
In the tournament's final game, the Idaho State University (ISU) Bengals, salvaged the weekend by winning, 6-2, over UCR after losing its first four games of the tournament.
ISU (3-7) broke out for two runs in the top of the first inning against UCR starting sophomore RHP
Megan Casper (Laguna Hills, Calif. / Laguna Hills HS), whose record fell to 0-1. The Bengals added an unearned run in the second against junior RHP
Caitlyn Rivera (Northridge, Calif. / Loyola Marymount U.) to lead, 3-0.
The Highlanders (6-4) crept to within, 3-2, thanks to a RBI single by Garewal and a RBI double by senior RF
Danielle Ortega (Granada Hills, Calif. / Bishop Alemany HS).
The Bengals added two runs in the sixth and one in the seventh to keep the Highlanders at bay.
UCR fourth-year head softball coach
Nikki Palmer saw improvement over the weekend which saw a six-game winning streak snapped after opening the season with three losses.
"In the first game, I was proud of our offensive production," said Palmer. "It was a good team win. I think Kennedi's (Sorensen) home run went over 250 feet (well past the left-field bull pen). Briza (Blanco) had a good outing.
For her efforts, Blanco was named Big West Conference (BWC) Pitcher AND Freshman of the week. Blanco pitched 4.0+ innings of relief in a 5-0 shutout of the visiting San Diego State University (SDSU) Aztecs last Wednesday (Feb. 12), as well as logging wins as UCR's pitcher of record in last Saturday's (Feb. 15) 6-4 win over Santa Clara University (SCU) and in last Sunday's (Feb. 16) complete game 11-1 run-rule (shortened t0 4.5 innings) game against UTEP.
Looking ahead to next weekend in Cathedral City, Coach Palmer is well aware of the level of competition the Highlanders will face.
"It probably will be one of hardest weeks of the year," said Palmer. "There will be a lot of top-ranked teams there and it'll be a good test for us."
***
In earlier action Sunday, the Santa Clara University (SCU) Broncos (5-4) defeated UTEP, 7-4.
UCR will next see action Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Feb. 20, 21, 22, when it participates in the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic which takes place at Big League Dreams, 33700 Date Palm Drive, in Cathedral City. The Highlanders will open tournament play on Thursday, Feb. 20 when it faces the University of New Mexico (UNM) Lobos at 3:30 p.m. before taking on the Brigham Young University (BYU) Cougars at 6 p.m.
On Friday, Feb. 21, UCR will meet Mississippi State University (MSU) at 3:30 p.m. before greeting the University of Utah Utes at 6 p.m. On Saturday, Feb. 22, UCR will conclude tournament play when it takes on the Oregon State University (OSU) Beavers at 7 p.m.
